WHEN Ben Burrage first took up the sport of bodybuilding, he had no idea where it would take him.
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The accomplished kick-boxer took up the sport in his downtime, but now it has paid dividends in a way he couldn't have possibly imagined.
The Tamworth local shocked himself when he cleaned up in a number of categories at the recent Coffs Classic bodybuilding competition.
"I've only been doing bodybuilding for the last 18 months, so I think it's fair to say the results came as a bit of a shock," Burrage told the Leader.
"I originally got into it because my partner Sam is really involved in it and I just really started to enjoy it.
"I'm only small in size, but I entered into the fitness model category to give it a go and I was really stoked to go as well as I did."
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Having last fought in March this year, Burrage said his venture into the world of bodybuilding had "reignited his passion for kick-boxing."
"I must admit, I had become a little bit burned out," he said.
"However, I think trying to find the balance between bodybuilding and kick-boxing has really helped me feel fresh.
"I think it's done me the world of good and I'm really glad I've taken it up."
The positive results at the Coffs Classic has Burrage in line for more bodybuilding competitions in the future.
"I actually qualified for the nationals later on in the year," he said.
"At this stage, I'm more than likely to give that one a miss because I just don't think I'm ready to compete at that level.
"The state championships are coming up in about four weeks' time, so I will throw my hat in the ring for that one and see what happens."
As for his fighting career, Burrage said he was busy preparing for two upcoming fights.
"I am heading back over to Thailand in a fortnight for a couple of fights," he said.
"Hopefully I can use these positive results and transfer them over to the fights.
"I'm feeling pretty good, so I'm confident I can make that happen.
"I've been working really hard and, with the support of my family, my trainer Andrew Hill and my sponsor the Albert Hotel, I'm sure I'll get a positive result."
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
